"If golden mana acts as a stabilizer," a man asked, voice smooth, "is it replicable outside Valen lineage?"
Amberine's skin prickled.
Elara's face didn't change. "The ring is replicable as a function," she answered. "The origin attribute is not required to understand the model. But the material used to generate the layer affects efficiency. We are investigating alternatives."
The man's gaze lingered.
Count Ken von Valen's hands were too clean.
Amberine's protective anger flared.
Ifrit perked up, pleased by anger.
Amberine wanted to say something sharp.
Maris touched her sleeve lightly.
Don't.
Amberine swallowed it.
Their Q&A ended with polite applause—real applause, not pity.
Amberine's knees almost buckled from relief.
She turned, ready to step back.
But suddenly—
"I have a question."
The applause residue died mid-air.
